Zero tolerance for terror but ready to make peace with Pak: PM

New Delhi, Jun 9 (PTI)Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Tuesday declared his government's 'zero tolerance' for
terror but expressed readiness to make peace with Pakistan if
its leadership takes "strong and effective" steps to prevent
terrorism directed against this country.

Speaking in both Houses of Parliament, Singh promised to
meet the Pakistani leadership "more than half-way" if it
demonstrates "courage, determination and statesmanship to take
the road to peace".

Replying to the debate on Motion of Thanks on the
President's Address, he said the government can deal with the
menace of terrorism "aided and abetted from abroad".

Referring to the assertion in the President's Address to
'zero tolerance' towards terrorism, Singh said his government
was "committed to doing all that is in power to ensure that
terrorist elements are brought under control".

He said if terrorism remains "uncontrolled", it would
affect the climate for investment and development and the
country's "economic vision" can also get affected.

Talking about relations with Pakistan, he said "There is
no other alternative but to pursue the path of dialogue...It
is in our vital interest to try again to make peace with
Pakistan but it takes two hands to clap."

"I expect the government of Pakistan to take strong,
effective and sustained action to prevent the use of their
territory for the commission of acts of terrorism in India, or
against Indian interests, and use every means at their
disposal to bring to justice those who have committed these
crimes in the past, including the attack on Mumbai," Singh
said.

He said such actions will be welcomed by people of both
the countries and hoped Pakistan government will "create an
atmosphere" in which the "vision" of peace can be realised.

Singh said India was living in a neighbourhood of "great
turbulence" and it was in the interest of New Delhi to see
that there was peace and stability in the region.

"India cannot realise its ambitions unless there is
peace, prosperity and stability in South Asia as a whole. If
our neighbourhood is suffering from instability and
turbulence, it has a direct bearing on our evolution as a
democratic polity committed to the sustained growth and
development," the Prime Minister said.

He said he has a "vision for a transformed" South Asia
from poverty to prosperity and from insecurity to lasting
peace.

The Motion was passed in both the Houses. In Rajya Sabha,
main opposition BJP appeared to be conciliatory with its
members either withdrawing the amendments which they moved on
the Motion or not pressing for them.

Left members, however, pressed the amendments which were
defeated. PTI MS
AM